Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini could be spoken to by the Football
Association if he continues to pressure referees to dismiss opposition
players.

The FA is keeping a watching brief on Mancini’s behaviour, which it believes contravenes the Respect agenda. It will contact City if the Italian persists with the habit.

Mancini has been caught twice on camera demanding cards from the officials: once when he asked for Liverpool’s Glen Johnson to be dismissed for a two-footed challenge on Adam Johnson during last week’s Carling Cup semi-final, and then again in City's victory over Wigan on Monday following a handball by Maynor Figueroa.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has accused Mancini of cultural ignorance in pushing for opposing players sent off. McCarthy suggested that overseas coaches should adapt to show more “understanding” of English culture and revealed he had once threatened to “break the fingers” of former Queens Park Rangers assistant manager Bruno Oliveira when he indulged in the practice against Wolves.

“None of us should do it – it is something I don’t like,” McCarthy said. “There is a cultural difference but Roberto is in this country now. We have to give people a bit of credence for different culture and different places. But when they come here they have to understand that, just as when I go anywhere else, I have to understand their culture.

“I was asked the other day, should we be teaching players coming into this country to behave? I said: ‘No, I know how to behave and I’ve been all over the world in my capacity as Irish manager and not upset anyone’.”

The hand gestures have been a rare blemish on Mancini’s reputation in England, but there is a potential for touchline disturbances with rival coaches if he persists in the habit.

“It is a little blip on a really good career for him because he handles himself with such good dignity and grace,” McCarthy said. “I’m sure if it is pointed out, Roberto won’t do it again.

“I had it with QPR a while back and took real offence to it. Bruno Oliveira did it and I think I said I would break his fingers. Paulo Sousa was in charge and he was really apologetic and he explained that is their culture. But I said: ‘You are in our league and our culture. Don’t do it and we will get on.’”